At least now we know what the SNL writers think of Jonah Hill: poo-poo. And screaming. And getting kicked in the nuts by the worst fake horse since I Google’d “fake horse” and found this. Last night’s episode was an example of the broad comedy NBC desired for all three seconds a couple of years ago, during the Animal Practice dark days. There were sketches based around taking dumps on top of other dumps, Infant Penis Syndrome, and that aforementioned fake horse. Occasionally, one would land — the ex-porn stars might be too weird to be considered “broad,” but EVERYONE can enjoy The Bangs of New York — but this wasn’t much of an SNL to remember.

So, all male figure skaters are gay? Timely stuff there. This cold open felt like it could have been written for any of the past five Winter Olympics, and that lack of topicality made for an indifferent start to the episode. Jay Pharoah struggling to skate was an amusing visual gag, more so than the slight irony of Kate McKinnon playing a straight woman in a sketch ostensibly about gay people, but even that couldn’t save this sinking ship.

(Sorry, still have Titanic on the brain.)

Benihana

It’s weird, I completely forgot that Jonah Hill has hosted SNL before (twice, actually) until he mentioned it in the cold open. Then Adam Grossman happened, and all the memories came flooding back. The six-year-old doesn’t bug me as much as he does others, with his Catskills resort comedy, mostly because Shell Silverstein is a solid name for a turtle, but I wasn’t exactly clamoring to see him again, either, especially without Bill Hader playing his father. No offense to Vanessa Bayer, but without Adam trying to score a date for his dad, there’s something lacking, and Adam comes across as more of a loudmouth jerk than helpful son. Then again, HE’S SIX.

The Hit

“The Hit” appeals to the specific kind of SNL viewer who loves gun violence AND Carole King. Hopefully you’re that person (it also helps if you like bunnies), because it was very funny, if a bit too long.

Couples Quiz

Huh. I actually think I liked “Couples Quiz.” No, that’s too strong of a statement: I didn’t hate “Couples Quiz” when I probably should have. There are SO many game shows on SNL that I enjoyed how varied it was from all the different iterations of Family Feud. Which is to say, there were a lot more dump jokes. Always appreciated.

No mention of how much better this episode’s audience was than previous episodes? They seemed to find everything HILARIOUS and really helped the show whereas previous audiences muteness seemed to kill the energy. Overall, I thought this was an above average SNL with a good mix of skits and high energy.

The episode was decent had a few good moments but immediately after the monologue I thought to myself, why isnt DiCaprio hosting, has he ever?. I just really enjoy episodes with actors not usually known for being funny stepping out of their comfort zones instead of Jonah Hill with his eyes glued to the cue cards for the third time.

I will say that the premises for half, maybe more than half of the sketches were kind of lame (the fake horse sketch was the lamest of the bunch), but Jonah Hill does something that many other actors fail to do when they host; Hill goes all in regardless of how lame the sketch is. Jewish lounge comedian trapped in a six-year-old’s body at a Benihana? Probably stupid with anyone else. But with Hill, you get something passable, and it made me laugh a few times.

As for the cold open, I didn’t get it at first, but my wife did. Yes, the stereotype of “all male figure skaters are gay” was there, but they were also letting Russia know that if you are going to be dicks to gay people, then other gay people who represent the top echelon of athletes in a sport integral to the Winter Olympics aren’t going to come to your country if you treat their cohorts like shit. I think that gay athletes are probably going to the Olympics anyway, but I’m sure they can’t feel safe based on the culture currently in place. As for the skit, though, besides Pharaoh, it was meh.

Weekend Update was great, Kenan was hilarious, and the segment should be in good hands once Myers leaves. Also, more Kate McKinnon, please and thank you. Olya is a wonderful hybrid of Borat and Yakof Smirnoff, which is never not funny.

Interesting. I thought this episode was definitely above average. Sure they swung and missed on some jokes, but, there were tons of hits that got the crew on base. Last night’s episode was some good old fashion Moneyball comedy.

Liked a bit of it, which was a change from high expectations of other shows. Hill was a bit rote, but what ya gonna do? Laughed at the Boss skit, and got a chuckle out of WE. Maybe it’s late night, but I always find the Porn Stars funny.

Has to be an astoundingly week episode for the monologue and “Weekend Update” to be the highlights, but they were for me. Get DiCaprio to host now! Promise him a harem of models at the wrap party, if that’s what it takes.

I like Seth and Cecily, but they tend to ruin their jokes by breaking character and muttering comments or bantering between themselves. Better to play it straight like they’re really reading news, instead of testing out jokes.

Old Russian Lady seemed to last an hour. I get that the accent’s funny, village is poor, and Borat, etc., but it was weak. Next SNL character movie, I suppose.